Junie and Jack

The new "Lady H" handbag and my Bespoke Christmas Gift Service

2011-10-29T00:11:00.003Z

After too many late nights, pattern cutting and re-cutting, stitching, un-stitching, tears and sweat I am now very pleased with my new "Lady H" handbag, inspired by my lovely friend.

It is a squidgy bag with thick interlining and a small tapered gusset, magnetic clasp, two pleats on each side, and fabric handles. Each one is finished with a lovely vintage brooch from my hoarded collection, I hope making them all unique.

I am currently making them in lots of wools and tweeds for the Christmas fairs I have. As well as selling them I am also offering a Bespoke Gift Service for this bag and my "Betty" bag. You can treat yourself or someone special with a gift certificate and make an appointment to come and see me; browse at leisure through the textiles I have, from leather suede and wool, to satins and cottons; choose your outer fabric and inner lining, and then choose the brooch to finish it with. If you would like one please come and see me at my Christmas fairs or contact me on 07980 860704. There is limited time left for commissions so this is on a first come first served basis before Christmas.

Goodwood Revival

2011-10-28T23:48:00.001Z

Goodwood Revival is on every year local to me, and I always try to make it. It is a celebration of all things racing from the 1940's to 1960's. The main interest for me is that everyone dresses up in vintage clothing, from WAF's to pin-up girls, soldiers to airmen. I didn't think I would be able to go this year but a free ticket kindly given by a friend was wafted under my nose at the last minute, and I threw on a hair curler, head scarf, land girl boiler suit and wellies, and me and my little evacuee were off! I am hugely influenced by this day out, and after seeing everyone in those gorgeous vintage fabrics and cuts, I am gagging to get home and design.

Halloween Classes and Christmas Fairs

2011-10-28T22:54:00.002Z

I have been so busy in the hand-baggery department! The Christmas Fair at Conifers School in Easebourne, Midhurst is looming on Friday 11th November and my hands are so sore from all the stabs and jabs of my needle and pins from sewing, they are a mess!

I have also been busy with children's sewing workshops for Halloween which have been a success both at The Rainbow Rooms in Haslemere and with my first home workshop. We made spooky ghosts to hang up and the little ones seemed to love it.

Rainbow Rooms Halloween Sewing Class

2011-10-11T11:14:00.001Z

It's confirmed, I have sewing classes booked for Wednesday 26th October at the Rainbow Rooms in Haslemere, Surrey. The classes are for 6 - 10 year olds, for boys and girls. We shall be making hand stitched Spooky Ghosts and Pumpkins!

Lots of fun for children, but places are limited so if you are interested please book as soon as possible.

All enquiries please ring Kate on 01428 653341, or check out their website at:
http://www.therainbowroomshop.com/party_page.html

Conifers School Xmas Fair - Friday 11th November

2011-09-23T20:29:00.000Z

I am at Conifers School in Midhurst, Xmas Fair on Friday 11th November, from 9.00am till 1pm. I am told by many who have been before that it is very creative and varied, with a lovely choice of Christmas gifts, so I am really looking forward to it!

My stall will include my new winter Betty bags, in lots of yummy winter colours, and luscious wool fabrics, now finished with beautiful brown leather handles; together with smaller bags, shoe clips, hair clips, corsages and a few festive treats!

Put it in your diary, bring your friends, and come and do some Christmas shopping away from the high street frenzy! I look forward to seeing you there.

For details of how to get there: conifersschool.com

Holiday inspirations and sewing classes

2011-08-26T19:01:00.001Z

Where have all the weeks gone? The holidays are coming to a close and I have had a ball camping in Dorset with my family, where I took a lot of photographs of cows on behalf of my animal-mad son!?

I also came across a shop in Poole called "Ginger Pop Shop", which celebrates the collaboration between the author Enid Blyton who used to holiday in Dorset, and the illustrator of her books Eileen Soper. Other than the connection between the two, it is an interactive museum and nostalgic step back in time to the 1940's.

One of the rooms is set up realistically as a living room, complete with all the furniture, and even childrens toys. They encourage and allow you to touch and interact with old telephones, typewriters, toys and piano, which my daughter loved, and it inspired me to take more photos.

My sewing classes at The Rainbow Rooms were great fun and I was amazed by the sewing skills of all the children, especially the boys! Thank you Kate and Penny for a very enjoyable four weeks. Naturally my six year old daughter who also loves to sew came with me on a couple of the "monster making" classes. Here is the evidence!... It looks like I shall be working again with The Rainbow Room at half term in October, so watch this space.

I'm on holiday until Monday 1st August - and other news...

2011-07-22T21:26:00.003Z

Betty Bags now in the Astarte Gallery, Petworth

The Astarte Gallery at The Old Bank House, Market Square in Petworth has now kindly taken my Betty Bags for sale, together with my new shoe clips (more details coming soon!). I will be showcasing some more of my work there at a later date, I believe with other local artists and creaters.

Please go and have a browse, and meet Jackie Tudor and her daughter Louise who makes very gorgeous pure wool wraps and corsages.

There is contemporary and modern 20th century British paintings, antique furniture and objet d art, sculptures, bronzes and glass, and some very lovely modern jewellery.

Workshops

I am busy preparing for some workshops I am doing in the summer holidays at The Rainbow Rooms in College Hill, Haslemere, Surrey. They will run every Wednesday for four weeks from 3rd August. There is a class in the mornings for children aged 5 plus making felt monsters, and an afternoon class with children from aged 8 up making tote bags and learning to use a sewing machine.

I am told that the spaces fill up very quickly, so if you are interested please ring Penny or Kate on 01428 653341, or by email at: info@therainbowrooms.co.uk. It is my first venture into classes but I am really looking forward to it. Alternatively you can have a look at their website at: therainbowroomshop.com.

Finally.....

My children have broken up from school/playgroup and we are off in our little caravan tomorrow to The New Forest and Dorset. I can't wait for the break, valuable time with my family, and really looking forward to new inspirations! If your off on holiday too have a wonderful break.

Kerry x

Splat the rat!

2011-07-15T22:38:00.000Z

I was asked last week to make a rat for "Splat the Rat" at Petworth Fete; a game where you drop a rat (preferably not real!) down a drainpipe and try to hit it as it comes out the end.

Robin and Luienne Day Exhibition

2011-07-11T22:54:00.003Z

recently went to see an Exhibition at Pallant House in Chichester of husband and wife designers Robin and Lucienne Day. They were at the forefront of the "Festival of Britain in the 1950's; Robin with his furniture design and Lucienne with her textile design. When I discovered them a few years ago I had a little studio where I re-designed furniture and then sold in my shop. They were both a huge inspiration to me and still are, in particular Lucienne. Sadly they both died last year, I believe within a month of each other, in their 90's.

A truly iconic couple, and worthy of a Google should you get a moment to browse. Check out Lucienne's "Calyx" design...one of my favourites, and the design which catapulted her to fame. Most of her fabrics were sold by Heales.

I believe that Heales are doing small re-runs of some of Lucienne's designs. I aim to own a little piece of original textile by her one day, but in the meantime I am happy to perch on my Robin Day chair my husband bought me as an engagement present.

Everything vintage is "in" at the moment, from fabrics, furniture, homewares and clothing, in particular the 1950's atomic era. To me a lot of these re-makes are heavily influenced by the Day's.

The "Betty" bag is here for the Summer, win some goodies and other news!

2011-07-05T12:20:00.014Z

After much template designs and re-designs I am proud to announce the arrival of my large "Betty" bag!
I am now posting the bags up for sale as I make them, in between some commissions and alterations, so please bear with me and keep checking in.

These started off very popular amongst my friends and customers, and have now been re-designed to be more padded and luxurious. To purchase one please read my "Sales" page first before clicking on the relevant bag for sale. I am more than happy to post one to someone special as a gift. Please leave their details when ordering, and any message. Postage is free in the UK.

Win free goodies!

I am doing another of my raffles this summer. For every purchase made your entered into the draw to win a goody bag from Junie and Jack. I will announce the winner in a few weeks. Good luck!

I recently went to a fabric sale where I bought most of the vintage stock there, ranging from the 1930's to the 1960's. It was heaven to sift through it all! Anyway I came away with some lovely wool fabrics so i'm already thinking about a new design for a winter bag.

With a few alterations on top, all of this work recently led to a bit of a sewing machine crisis, but with a bit of cleaning and tlc, the sewing machine and I are now back on track!

Spring is here!

2011-03-28T11:04:00.002Z

I am busy making tote bags in lovely 50's vintage bark cloth and cottons. You can buy them at Vintage Rose Cafe, School Hill, Storrington. These are all limited edition runs dependent on how much fabric I have, so grab yourself a designer one-off! I shall post some for sale on my blog as soon as I have finished my other orders.

I am also now doing minor repairs and alterations so please contact me for a quote and tell your friends!

Forget those winter blues girls....the Junie and Jack January sale is here!!......

2011-01-18T14:17:00.015Z

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, as we did. Too many mince pies and copious glasses of mulled wine....Kerry heaven!

So....I have just a few corsages I am going to put up for sale to clear my winter stock. It's not Debenhams blue cross or anything but hey go treat yourselves and buy one for your hat, coat or bag, after all that cooking and the dreaded diet month here, you deserve it ladies! Please click opposite on the page entitled "SALES!", grab a warm mug of cocoa, sit back and browse for yourself or a present for someone special to perk up this cold January! Only a few for now, and a few more....later!

Please bear with me as I sell on my blog for the first time, there may be some gliches!

I am furthering my skills with an intermediate dressmaking course starting this month and have lots of plans for pre-loved jeans this Spring....so keep watching and please tell your friends.

Please also leave your comments now that I have the facility, these are much appreciated!

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-17T21:08:00.005Z

Hello ladies

Long time no blog. I have been very busy with Christmas orders, but I have now found some time after school plays, parties, and the like to update you all.......
I would like to send a very big thank you to all my regular customers, who encourage me with all their lovely words and come back time and again as very valued customers. In particular all you gorgeous mummy's at Fittleworth Village School for your support, you have been amazing!

I am happy to announce that the winner of the raffle drawer was Mrs Sara Burden, who will receive a bespoke corsage in the new year when she returns from her holidays!

I am also very excited to launch a sales page on my blog; you can now buy direct from my blog via Paypal, and I will shortly be putting my work up for sale directly. For the New Year I will be stepping up business with ongoing dressmaking and tailoring courses.

If I can finish the wrapping, shopping, and failed attempts at biscuit making, then I will put up some little stocking fillers should you wish to buy any, but in the meantime my corsages and hair clips are available in Coco Cafe Sugar Lounge, Petworth where I have re-stocked today.

If you like what you see then please tell your friends. I appreciate all your feedback, and comments, so please keep them coming, because I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for you lovely ladies.

A very Happy Christmas to you all!

Much love

Kerry x
Junie and Jack

Corsages, corsages, corsages!

2010-11-05T22:24:00.004Z

I can't seem to make them quick enough at the moment. I haven't had a chance to blog because I have been up to my ears in felting or rummaging in charity shops for my wool items to be felted........

Some work in progress, and some finished. These are part of my new Christmas stock now currently available in Coco Cafe & Sugar Lounge, Saddlers Row, Petworth. These feel beautiful to touch, I have used cashmere, velvet, vintage prints and even managed to find some lovely suede. The buttons are vintage or hand embroidered cashmere. Gorgeous stocking fillers that are individual and recycled!
I recommend their chilli hot chocolate, and "chilli lips" chocolates while your there too...utterly gorgeous!

Appliqued jacket

2010-10-18T19:15:00.007Z

I have finally got round to putting this post up for a recent commission. It was hard work but I absolutely loved doing it. A blue cord jacket appliqued with a gorgeous cobalt blue silk velvet.......

The customer was very specific and sent me images of her glass topped dining table with a silhouette of creepers and flowers across it.

I found a very sweet little baby dress in velvet from a local charity shop (a very rare find!), and this was used for the applique. I kept it in one colour as requested.

I hand drew, cut and transferred the pattern to the velvet, and then it was all down to the machine! Two machines later...a long story...but after a few headaches it was done, and finished with some beautiful vintage buttons that I had been keeping for something special, adorned with "Betty Page" on them!

I have to say I was quite pleased with it when finished, but this lady would make a bin liner look good don't you think?!

Cashmere blanket

2010-10-13T15:50:00.004Z

Well I have just finished a lovely pink blanket that was commissioned to me as a new baby present. The customer wanted it large enough for the child to grow with, so it is two metres in length, large enough for a single bed, which I think is a lovely idea......
I didn't want to use fleece, so persuaded her to use a lovely cashmere/wool mix in a gorgeous dusky pink. I hand stitched the edges with blanket stitch in pink silk, then appliqued flowers layered in red herringbone, vintage cotton and camel cashmere recycled from a jumper, in just one corner, and finished them with vintage buttons. I then hand embroidered the name and date of birth in the same pink silk.
I spent too long designing the flower templates and choosing fabric for them but it had to be right to do the lovely wool justice!

Patched Jeans

2010-10-13T15:41:00.003Z

After much darning of my little boy's trousers, forever ripping at the knees, I have become a bit of an expert at patching and darning using up my old scraps of fabric.

My friend Marsha was about to throw out her much loved jeans but a little bit of scrap goes a long way.....waste not want not!

Throw them at me, not in the bin girls!

Lily hair clips

2010-09-10T19:48:00.007Z

I am very busy taking orders for my felt flower hair clips. "Lily" clips as they are called...due to my beautiful Lily who inspired them. The felt used is made from post-consumer plastic bottles, so very green!.....

My fingers hurt from all the cutting out of felt, but my favourite part is to sift through my huge collection of old buttons to find the right ones for each flower centre. I take too long but being the perfectionist that I am, they have to be just right. I am getting very low on good quality hair clips and my felt too, and am having to try and source elsewhere...hopefully I can find some, otherwise the "Lily" clip may well have to be re-designed!